University of Vermont Extension
Department of Plant and Soil Science

FLOWERS: THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF LOVE

Ever since Cupid shot his first arrow into a love-shy suitor, men--and
in more recent decades, women--have given flowers to their true loves on
St. Valentine's Day.

The holiday, which has its origins in the pagan festival of Lupercalia,
is recognized in England, France, Austria, Germany, and the United States.
Although the custom of sending romantic cards to suitors began in the early
part of the nineteenth century, flowers are a more recent custom and one
perpetuated by the floral industry, not any ancient belief.

Traditionally, long-stemmed, red roses are associated with this holiday
although carnations, tulips, azaleas, and other flowers are catching up
in popularity. So are sweetheart or miniature roses, which are just as
attractive, but not as expensive, as tea roses and come in the same range
of colors from red and pale pink to white, cream, lavender, peach, and
yellow.

If you are buying a dozen roses to go, instead of having the florist
deliver them, select blooms that are just beginning to open. Wrap the flowers
well to protect against the cold as chilling February temperatures can
damage the delicate blossoms. An alternate to roses is to have your florist
make up a mixed bouquet with a red-pink-white color scheme. Possibilities
include carnations, daisies, freesia, and tulips as well as more exotic
choices like alstromeria, red anthurium, or ginger. Add a few sprigs of
baby's breath for the finishing touch.

Potted flowering plants will help extend your Valentine's Day greetings
and brighten up winter days ahead. Most florists carry potted tulips, azaleas,
cyclamens, and chrysanthemums and may have more unusual varieties such
as kalanchoe with its scarlet red flowers set high on spikes or cineraria
with its fuzzy leaves and mound of vivid red, blue, or purple blossoms.

When buying a flowering potted plant, select one with many buds about
to open rather than one already in full bloom. Check buds, blossoms, and
undersides of leaves for signs of disease or insect pests.

Ensure that your gift gets proper care by enclosing a note with care
instructions. Mention that plants need to be kept well-watered, but not
overwatered, and out of drafty areas.

Temperatures should be 45 to 55 degrees F at night, around 65 to 70
degrees F during the day if possible. Recommend that the recipient remove
the foil or paper covering the pot to allow adequate drainage.

Gift certificates from a favorite nursery also make a wonderful Valentine's
Day gift as do rose bushes purchased as plants. Of course, it's too cold
and snowy now to plant in Vermont, but nurseries know that and will wait
until the proper time to send rose bushes for planting outdoors.

When selecting which variety, keep in mind that many roses don't do
well in northern climates such as ours. Old-fashioned varieties and climbing
roses seem to tolerate winter conditions better than hybrid tea roses.
For catalog sales, read the fine print or call the company to ask. Or check
with the experts at your local nursery.

If your special someone is a gardener, present him or her with a "bouquet"
of seed packages for cut flower varieties including cosmos, delphiniums,
shasta daisies, snapdragons, zinnias, asters, and gypsophila (baby's breath).
Or promise to plant a culinary herb or perennial garden in the spring.